MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On May 9, a Victory Day parade was held in Moscow's Red Square to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe and the defeat of Nazi Germany. The event was attended by leaders of nearly 30 countries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Victory Day celebratory events were held across 150 Russian cities and in some former Soviet states.
"…In the passing year, there were a lot of events, but the most significant was the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War," Putin said on Friday at a Kremlin New Year reception.
More than 16,000 servicemen, almost 200 units of military equipment and some 140 helicopters and planes participated in the celebration.
Russia demonstrated a number of brand new weapons systems during the event, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled guns and anti-tank missile systems.
On September 3, a military parade was held in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, marking the 70th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance against Japan and the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event was attended by Russian president Putin as well as leaders and senior officials from dozens of other countries and international organizations.
